Walking in Albania

Begin your adventure in Tirana, the trendy capital of Albania. Around 6pm, say hello to your tour leader and fellow travellers at our hotel, where we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome by arranging an optional group dinner. Want to explore Tirana further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative. Stay: Sky 2 Hotel (or similar).

We have an early start this morning and drive to Shkodër (approximately three hours), where we visit the Rozafa Castle and the city centre of one of the oldest places in Albania. Our journey continues into the breath-taking Albanian Alps and Theth National Park (approximately three hours), an area admired for its flora and fauna. After checking into our quaint guesthouse in Theth, we set off on a gentle walk through the valley nestled between wonderful peaks, gaining an insight into agricultural life as we pass local people going about their day.

We continue to the Roman Catholic Church of Theth, built in 1892, which was used as a health centre during the Communist regime. The highlight, however, is a visit to the shutting tower (or lock-in tower) of Theth, known locally as Kulla. These historic stone lock-in towers protected families involved in blood feuds and this is one of the few that remain. Stay: Shpella Guesthouse (or similar) (B/L/D).

Theth Valley is predominantly an agricultural region, where age-old farming practices and horse-drawn carts are still used today. We observe rural life as we begin walking to Theth Waterfall. From here, we continue to Nderlyse, where we find a string of natural pools and a feature known as the Blue Eye of Kapre. There is an opportunity to swim here, so don't forget your swimming costume and towel. Stay: Shpella Guesthouse (or similar) (B/L/D).

We walk through some of the wildest scenery around into the Tropojë District, known as the home of Albanian folk culture. First, we ascend through forests and alpine pastures to reach the Valbonë Pass (5,905ft/1,800m), where we take a few moments to enjoy spectacular views down Valbonë and Theth valleys. This is the highest point of the trek and a major highlight. It is also a popular spot for taking photos and soaking in the magnificent scenery.

We then follow a trail that brings us alongside the Valbonë River, known for its crystal-clear, blue-green waters. We finish at the quaint village of Rragam, where the minibus is waiting to transport us to our hotel. Expect some rocky mountainous terrain today, particularly as we descend. Stay: Hotel Breezy/Hotel Margjeka (or similar) (B/L/D).

Our route takes us through beech and pine forests down Rosi Peak and leads us onto the White Circle, where we enjoy panoramic views of the peaks and valleys of the Albanian Alps. We may walk the full length of the White Circle and then back down the valley but note that how far the group walks up into the valley is dependent upon weather conditions, timings, and the condition of the group – the decision is taken by the local guide who walks with us in the national park. For those who wish to opt out of the White Circle walk, you can instead walk independently in the area. Please note, the total ascent/descent is 3,280ft (1,000m) if doing the full length. Stay: Hotel Breezy/Hotel Margjeka (or similar) (B/L/D).

Enjoy a relaxed morning in Valbonë, before a 35-minute transfer to Bajram Curri. If time allows, we can stop at the Tower of Mic Sokoli, which is dedicated to a national hero. Arriving in the small town of Bajram Curri, enjoy a brief exploration with the chance to purchase snacks or lunch items from the local shops. At 1pm, we take a boat across the beautiful Koman Lake (which takes approximately two hours).

The journey allows us to take in the spectacular scenery as we wind between high cliffs and towering peaks. Three hydroelectric power plants have been built here at the lake, which produce approximately 70 percent of Albania's electricity. We then drive for another 2hr 30min to Kruje, the centre of Skanderbeg's resistance to the Ottoman invasion in the 15th century.

On arrival, we may have time to visit the old bazaar, which has many shops selling an array of traditional Albanian handicrafts, including handwoven textiles, intricate wood carvings, and unique souvenirs like qeleshe (traditional felt hats). Stay: Hotel Panorama (or similar) (B).

If we didn't visit the old bazaar yesterday, we do so this morning. Then we visit Kruje Castle, which was once held by Skanderbeg after his rebellion against the Ottoman Empire. After, we travel to Berat.

On arrival, we enjoy a guided tour around the old district, where pretty white buildings are perched on the hill amid pine forests. Our tour includes a visit to the Ethnographic Museum (an 18th-century Ottoman house) and the King Mosque. We walk through the narrow, cobbled streets to reach Berat Castle, where we are rewarded with breath-taking views of Mount Tomorr.

Within the castle walls are dwelling houses and the Onufri Museum (Museum of Iconography). There is free time to enjoy the other sites of Berat or to perhaps absorb the relaxed cafe culture on the promenade. Our hotel is in Mangalem, the historic quarter of Berat, where the castle peers down upon the area from its hilltop. Stay: Hotel Mangalemi/Hotel Belgrad Mangalem (or similar) (B).

The tour ends today. Speak to your sales representative if you'd like to extend your stay in this fascinating city or to join the group transfer to Tirana Airport (approximately two hours) (B).